NEWS BRIEFS

• PAINTED CHURCH ROAD STRUCTURE FIRE: The Hawaii County Fire Department battled a structure fire on Painted Church Road in Captain Cook on Tuesday evening. Upon arriving at the scene at 7:14 p.m. firefighters found a two-story wooden structure fully engulfed in flames. No one was inside. The blaze caused an estimated $437,500 in damages and also destroyed two vehicles. The fire is under investigation.
• AKINA KONA OFFICER OF THE MONTH: The Kona Crime Prevention Committee recognized Officer Carrie Akina as “Officer of the Month” for December in a luncheon ceremony Wednesday (December 3) at Huggo’s restaurant in Kailua-Kona. Akina was honored for locating two men wanted in a resort burglary. The police media release is below.
• BID FOR HAWAII: The Kona-Kohala Chamber of Commerce is hosting its 6th annual Bid for Hawaii online auction, with bidding open now through midnight Sunday, December 7. “You’ll find a variety of gift ideas, dining certificates, resort packages, activities plus a whole lot more, all from local businesses right here on Hawaii Island,” wrote the chamber in a press release. “Proceeds benefit the Kona-Kohala Chamber of Commerce.” Visit www.kona-kohala.com or call the Chamber at 329-1758.
• VIDEO STORY on MELE MURAL IN KEAUHOU: Local artists, cultural advisors and Hawaiian immersion school students worked together for two weeks to create the large-scale artwork which was unveiled this past weekend at the Keauhou Shopping Center. VIDEO: Mele Mural Unveiled In Keauhou
• NEW VIDEO – KONA COUNCILMAN DRU KANUHA TAKES OVER AS COUNCIL CHAIR: The nine member Hawaii County Council was sworn-in on Monday, and Dru Kanuha became the youngest council chair in county history, as well as the first representing Kona, according to West Hawaii Today. Here is his speech at the inauguration ceremony.

KONA COUNCILMAN DRU KANUHA TAKES OVER AS COUNCIL CHAIR

AKINA KONA OFFICER OF THE MONTH

The Kona Crime Prevention Committee recognized Officer Carrie Akina as “Officer of the Month” for December in a luncheon ceremony Wednesday (December 3) at Huggo’s restaurant in Kailua-Kona.

Akina was honored for locating two men wanted in a resort burglary.

At 2 a.m. on June 21, Kona Patrol officers responded to a report of a burglary at a resort in Kailua-Kona. A 33-year-old California man reported that he had returned to the resort and discovered that items, including his rental car key, had been removed from his hotel room. The car was gone from the parking lot.

During a watch briefing that afternoon, Officer Akina learned the names of two suspects and declared her intention to find them. A few hours later, she located and arrested the first suspect. She recovered stolen electronics from his backpack and returned them to the visitor, who was scheduled to fly out the next morning.

Very early the next morning, Akina located and arrested the second suspect, who was in possession of the stolen rental car and numerous pieces of mail belonging to other persons. The car’s license plate had been removed and replaced with a stolen plate.

The first suspect was charged with burglary, second-degree theft, promoting a dangerous drug and possessing drug paraphernalia.

The second suspect was charged with burglary, unauthorized control of a propelled vehicle, six counts of theft, two counts of theft/forgery of a credit card, eight counts of unauthorized possession of personal information, fraudulent use of a motor vehicle license plate and driving without a license.

Lieutenant William Souther, who nominated Akina for the award, said, “Officer Akina’s dedication and initiative in pursuing wanted criminals assists in our vision of making the Big Island a safe place to live, visit and conduct business.”

As “Officer of the Month,” Akina is eligible to become “Officer of the Year.”

The Kona Crime Prevention Committee is an organization that encourages community involvement in aiding and supporting police in West Hawaiʻi.Hawaii County Police media release on Dec. 3, 2014